Me Vs. The Laundry
2016 is coming to an end, and if I am being totally honest with you, I am shocked. How did that happen. Literally, just two weeks ago I wrote 2015 on a check while paying bills and next week is 2017. I don’t even have this year under control yet and it is next year! Can you say #momlife? I had so many goals last year and some of them I made some good progress on, others still need work. As I think about things I want to get under control in 2017, one of the first things that pops into my head is laundry and home routines.
I received compensation and samples for this post. All ideas and opinions are my own.
I spend a lot of time this year evaluating what factors in my every day home-life that contribute to my stress or grumpy moods. I have narrowed it down to a clear/clean table, empty sink, and caught up laundry. When I come downstairs in the morning to a table that didn’t get wiped down and cleared off the night before, I automatically feel like my day is chaotic. On the other hand, if I can come downstairs and get breakfast ready and just spend a few minutes alone with my thoughts, I am a much happier lady and a much more patient mama. The same goes for laundry.
I am really bad at staying on top of my laundry piles. It wouldn’t be so bad if I lived in a large house with a big laundry room I could banish all of our clothes to and not think about them. But I don’t. In fact our current house is much too small for the 5 of us and not staying on top of laundry, even for a few days, means we are drowning in it. There is nothing worse than starting your day off by rooting through a giant basket of clean clothes for a pair of matching toddler socks so you can get kids out the door for school.
Here are a few goals that I have to get my laundry under control in the new year:
Sort as We Go:I think this year I am going to try having a different basket for color groups so that my husband and I can sort as we go, I think my son is old enough to handle this too.
Get the Kids in a Routine:聽For our family the most important factor I have realized is the location of the laundry baskets. My kids always seem to change into their clothes in rooms other than their room, so expecting them to take their clothes all the way back to their rooms to put them in the hamper was unrealistic. Their room is upstairs from the bathroom where they always get dressed. 聽A laundry basket in the bathroom makes more sense for them and I think will make a big difference in how much laundry ends up in the bin.
Put Away Immediately: I know I am not alone in this. You get the laundry sorted, washed, folded, and then… what happens? For some reason the hardest part for me is getting my clothes from the dryer to the closest/dressers. I am promising to be better this year!
Use Products I Love: There is something about finding and using products you really love that make chores more enjoyable. I used to grab whatever laundry detergent was on sale, but I have really fallen in love with Tide Pods. I mostly use the Free & Gentle Tide Pods because my kids have sensitive skin. They are so easy and convenient, no cups or messy measuring. But, most importantly, they do the best job at making sure my clothes come out of the laundry looking amazing time and time again. My favorite laundry secret is using Downy Unstopables In Wash Scent Boosters. They make everything smell like a dream. The scent lasts for up to 12 weeks, so even when something has been sitting in a drawer for awhile, it comes out smelling freshly washed.
Make Laundry Time Enjoyable:聽Instead of dreading laundry time, I am going to use it as a time to reward myself. Whether that means I get to binge watch netflix while I fold and sort, listen to the audiobook I am in the middle of, or shake my booty to my favorite tunes, laundry time is going to become some extra moments for me!
This year 聽my biggest resolution is to get all of my responsibilities at home into good, solid routines so I can be less stressed and the best mom and wife I can to my family. They deserve the best of me! Bring it on 2017.
My resolution is to get help from other household members. I’m doing laundry for ten people and it’s never ending.
I don’t think anyone likes to do laundry. If it’s difficult for parents to gather “the strength” to do laundry then trying to get our kids involved is like pulling teeth. All of your ideas are wonderful. Thanks!
We are potty training my youngest right now, and I feel like we are losing the laundry battle at an even faster rate then normal. I love watching something on Netflix to make it a little less painful to fold laundry
it is weird but this is one of the things that i dont mind doing. i would much rather do this than wash dished. lol
The most tiring task is washing clothes. I just hate it. I wish I had an angle to do all the laundry.
I do laundry everyday, I have to!I love these Tide pods. They make laundry so much easier!
Laundry is the one chore I dread the absolute most! I love getting the kids involved! It helps a ton!
Thank you for these tips! I wish I can make laundry time more enjoyable! 馃榾
I am so ready to take control of the laundry situation in 2017 and show it who is boss! Thanks for these tips!
I dread when laundry day comes around. I swear half the time my daughter’s clothing doesn’t make into the laundry. Having a laundry hamper in the bathroom is a great idea.
You definitely have the right ideas. I need to work on these things too. I’ve been loving those Free and Gentle Tide pods as well!
I want to try these Tide Pods so badly. Tide has been my favorite laundry detergent for years, but my husband is allergic to something in Tide, so, unfortunately, we won’t be using them.
I need to set up a laundry sorting system. It would be so much easier if the laundry could be presorted for me.
I don’t mind doing the laundry, but I hate folding it. I’ve been getting my kids in to helping more around the house too. My oldest is seven, and she actually enjoys folding and putting laundry away. I got lucky with her! 馃檪
Yes! I agree as well! Doing the laundry isn’t that tough. Just sort out and throw in the dirty clothes and the machine will do all the work. What’s the annoying part is the folding!! Omg!! I think girls have a little more patience with doing housework because they actually try to do it properly but boys are so playful. It’s so hard to get them to even put their toys back into the box!
I always try to put clothes away ASAP and daily. If I do not my laundry room will pile up way too quickly.
Laundry can be a pain that is for sure. These tips will definitely help with making it more fun.
I especially love the tip about making laundry time enjoyable! It’s currently the bane of my existence, right up there with dish duty!
OMG, it never ends. Where are the laundry fairies? I need to stay on top of it!
I need to get better about putting the laundry away right away. I do like using Tide Pods though. So simple.
Oh yes, laundry is definitely a problem! lol. Thanks for the great tips.
Ah, laundry, my old nemesis. How often have you taken a great day, filled with the promise of binge watching something on Netflix and crushed it with your color sorting, drying, and folding.
I feel your pain! I hate the laundry! It never ends! LOL I need to take your advice so that I can actually stay on top if it thanks for the advise.